Hotel Monaco Sold, to Become The Alexandrian

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- One of Old Town Alexandria's most visible properties, Hotel Monaco on King Street, is changing hands and will become The Alexandrian, according to paperwork filed with the City of Alexandria's Planning Commission and a manager with Kimpton. In addition to Hotel Monaco, the Morrison House is also changing hands but will likely retain its name.

Clarion Partners has sold the assets to new owners AllianceBernstein and Fulcrum Hospitality, a Kimpton spokeswoman said.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants will no longer serve as the management company for the Morrison House, Ashlar Restaurant and Bar (located at Morrison House), Monaco Alexandria and Jackson 20 (located at Hotel Monaco), a Kimpton spokeswoman told Patch Wednesday.

Beginning Dec. 20, the hotels will be managed by Marriott's Autograph Collection, a boutique offshoot at Marriott, a Kimpton manager said Wednesday. The Autograph Collection describes itself as "celebrating boutique hotels that are unique in design and thoughtful in spirit."

It's possible there could be some job openings at both properties, as some employees decided to move to other Kimpton properties in the area, one employee said. Kimpton will continue to have a presence in the City, still managing the Lorien Hotel & Spa, at 1600 King St.

Hotel Monaco, located at 480 King St., was last purchased in 2006 for $66 million, according to City records. It was formerly a Holiday Inn Select.

Both hotels have undergone extensive renovations in recent years with the most recent a multimillion-dollar renovation of Morrison House, 116 N. Alfred St., which reopened with a new look and new restaurant last April.

PHOTO of Hotel Monaco courtesy of Kimpton Hotel Monaco